This study aimed at evaluating the effects of bovine biofertilizer on passion fruit production and fruit quality. We carried out an experiment in the city of Nova Floresta, Paraíba State, Brazil. It was carried out in a randomized block design with three replications and three plants per plot. We adopted a 3 x 5 factorial scheme, which evaluated three passion fruit genotypes and five cattle biofertilizer doses. The assessed genotypes consisted of a local one (Guinezinho - LG) and two hybrids (BRS Gigante Amarelo - GA and BRS Sol do Cerrado - SC). We applied five rates of cattle biofertilizer (B) monthly at a constant volume of 5 L plant-1, after diluting in irrigation water (W) at an electrical conductivity of 1.4 dS m-1. The evaluated rates were 0% (100% irrigation water - 0B + 5W), 10% (1B + 9W), 20% (2B + 8W), 30% (3B + 7W) and 40% (4B + 6W). Every week, we sampled, counted and weighed fruit to gather data on fruit number per plant, pant production, and yield. At peak production, we also sampled two fruit randomly from each plot floor area. These fruits were used for determinations of the average mass in fruit, peel and pulp (seeds + juice), peel thickness, fruit diameter and length, pulp yield, soluble solid content, titratable acidity, vitamin C, pH and pulp electrical conductivity. As a result, we observed that the biofertilizer did not compromise both LG and GA production capacity. Overall, the biofertilizer doses provided quality characteristics superior to those required by the fruit market.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of applying mixtures of chemical ripeners on the technological quality and agricultural productivity of sugarcane. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks arranged in split- split-plots with four blocks, the main plots being constituted by sugarcane varieties SP803280 and SP801842. The subplots consisted of the application of the following products with their respective mixtures: control - absence of ripener; Sulfometrom methyl + glyphosate; ethephon + glyphosate; glyphosate and compounds of organic carboxylic radicals + glyphosate. The sub-subplots were composed of evaluation times: 0; 15 and 30 days after applying the products. Samples from each plot were collected manually and sent to the laboratory for the determination of soluble Brix solids (% broth); Sucrose content in the broth - Pol (% broth); Reducing sugars (RS%); Total reducing sugars (TRS%); Fiber (%); Purity (%); Humidity (%) and Total recoverable sugar TRS (kg t-1). The plots were fully harvested and the stems were taken for weighing and for characteristics determination: Yield per hectare (TCH) and Yield of sugar per hectare (TAH). The SP803280 variety was more responsive to the use of mixtures of chemical ripeners. For the technological characteristics, sulfometurom methyl (0.02 kg ha-1) + glyphosate (0.15 L ha-1) presented the best results from 15 days after application. Mixtures of chemical ripeners did not increase the yields of stalks and sugar per area.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the resistance of a group of clones and cultivars from the potato breeding program of Embrapa to Meloidogyne javanica . The experiment was conducted at Embrapa Temperate Climate, Pelotas / RS, under greenhouse conditions at temperatures of 25 ± 5°C. Individual potato plants of different genotypes [BRSIPR Bel, BRS F63 (Camila), CL02 - 05, F23 - 11 - 06, F32 - 02 - 06, F38 - 03 - 07, F189 - 09 - 06, F23 - 24 - 06 and F22 - 01 - 08], kept in pots with sterilized soil were inoculated with 5,000 eggs and J2 of M. javanica , using six replicates per treatment. The susceptible control, potato cultivar BRS Ana was inoculated with the same level of inoculum. Fifty - five days after inoculation, the number of galls on the roots of each plant was determined as well as the number of protuberances caused by nematodes in the different treatments. Then, the roots of each plant were processed for counting the number of eggs and J2, as well as determining the nematode reproduction factor (FR: final population / initial population). All genotypes were susceptible (FR> 1.00) to M. javanica . However, there were different levels of susceptibility among the cultivars tested.

ABSTRACT: This work studied the physical, chemical and biochemical alterations in minimally processed yam stored at two different temperatures, as well as the incidence of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas. The experimental design was completely randomised in a 2x8 factorial design, with two storage temperatures (5 and 10°C) and eight storage times (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 days). Experiments were in triplicate. Yam was selected, peeled and cut into slices of approximately 3 cm thickness. The slices were rinsed with water, sanitised and then drained in kitchen strainers. Approximately 300 g of the processed product were packed in nylon multilayers 15 µm thick, 15 cm wide and 20 cm long. The packs were sealed, weighed and kept at 5 and 10 ± 2°C for 14 days. Fresh weight loss, baking time, enzymatic activity of polyphenol oxidases, peroxidases and catalases, total soluble phenol content, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated, as well as visual analysis and incidence of Pseudomonas sp. Means of temperatures were compared by Tukey´s test at 5% significance. Yam storage at 5°C reduced weight loss and kept visual quality for longer; it also reduced cooking time and the activity of the enzymes polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase. In contrast, it promoted higher content of total soluble phenols, as well as a higher catalase activity and antioxidant capacity. During the storage time, there was no incidence of Pseudomonas sp. Minimally processed yam stored at 10°C may be sold for up to six days, and yam stored at 5ºC for up to 14 days. | RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar as alterações físico-químicas, bioquímicas e incidência de Pseudomonas sp. em inhame minimamente processado conservado em duas temperaturas. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2x8, referente as temperaturas (5 e 10 °C) e tempos de conservação refrigerada (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 e 14 dias), com três repetições. O inhame foi selecionado, descascado e cortado em rodelas de aproximadamente 3 cm de espessura. Essas rodelas foram enxaguadas em água, sanitizadas e drenadas em escorredores de cozinha. Aproximadamente 300 g do produto processado foram embalados em Nylon multicamadas de 15 µm de espessura, com 15 cm de largura por 20 cm de comprimento. As embalagens foram seladas, pesadas e mantidas a 5 e 10 ± 2 °C por 14 dias. Avaliou-se a perda de massa, tempo de cocção, atividade enzimática das polifenoloxidases e peroxidases, conteúdo de fenóis solúveis totais, capacidade antioxidante, análise visual e incidência de Pseudomonas sp. As médias entre as temperaturas foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5 % de significância. A temperatura de 5 °C reduziu a perda de massa fresca e da qualidade visual, o tempo de cocção e a atividade das enzimas polifenoloxidases e peroxidases. Por outro lado, proporcionou maior conteúdo de fenóis solúveis totais e capacidade antioxidante. Ao longo da conservação, não foi observada incidência de Pseudomonas sp. O inhame minimamente processado, sob temperatura de 10 °C, pode ser comercializado por até 6 dias. A 5º C, por até 14 dias.

RESUMO: O saflufenacil é absorvido pelas folhas e raízes das plantas, por isso a permanência residual deste herbicida pode provocar prejuízos para as plantas cultivadas. Portanto, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a seletividade do herbicida saflufenacil aplicado isolado e em associação com glyphosate, em plantas de café e citros cultivadas em solo arenoso. Foram instalados e conduzidos dois experimentos no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos químicos consistiram de três aplicações sequenciais, com jato dirigido de saflufenacil nas doses de 0,035, 0,07 e 0,105 kg i.a. ha-1, de glyphosate na dose de 2,160 kg e.a. ha-1, e da associação dos dois herbicidas nas mesmas doses, além de uma testemunha sem tratamento químico. O saflufenacil aplicado isolado e em associação com glyphosate foi seletivo para plantas de café e citros, não apresentando nenhum sintoma visual de intoxicação nas plantas. A pulverização sequencial de saflufenacil isolada e em associação com glyphosate não afetou o crescimento das plantas de café e citros. O saflufenacil tem um potencial de uso em associação com glyphosate para fornecer controle de muitas espécies de plantas daninhas em áreas de café e citros sem nenhuma interferência no desenvolvimento destas espécies. | ABSTRACT: Saflufenacil is absorbed by the plant leaves and roots, thus the residual permanence of this herbicide can cause losses to the crop plants. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the selectivity of the saflufenacil herbicide, applied singly and in combination with glyphosate, on coffee and citrus plants grown in a sandy soil. Two experiments were implemented and conducted in completely randomized design with four replications. The chemical treatments consisted of three sequential applications, with directed spraying of saflufenacil at rates of 0.035, 0.07 and 0.105 kg a.i. ha-1, glyphosate at rate of 2.160 kg a.e. ha-1, the two herbicides combined at the same rates, and a control without chemical treatment. The saflufenacil applied singly and in combination with glyphosate was selective for coffee and citrus plants, which presented no visual toxicity symptoms. The sequential application of saflufenacil, singly and in combination with glyphosate did not affect the growth of coffee and citrus plants. The saflufenacil has potential for use, in combination with glyphosate on controlling many weed species in coffee and citrus areas without any interference on the development of these species.

RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficiência agronômica de combinações de cenoura e rúcula em diferentes densidades populacionais em bicultivo nas condições semiáridas do Nordeste brasileiro. O estudo foi realizado na Fazenda Experimental "Rafael Fernandes" da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), durante o período de setembro de 2011 a fevereiro de 2012. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados, com os tratamentos arranjados em esquema fatorial 4 x 4 com quatro repetições. As combinações foram quatro densidades populacionais de cenoura (40, 60, 80 e 100% da população recomendada em cultivo solteiro - PRCS) com quatro densidades populacionais de rúcula (40, 60, 80 e 100% da PRCS). As densidades populacionais recomendadas para os cultivos solteiros de cenoura e rúcula são 500.000 e 1.000.000 de plantas por hectare, respectivamente. Todos os tratamentos foram adubados com jitirana (Merremia aegyptia L.), uma espécie espontânea do bioma Caatinga. A maior eficiência agronômica da cenoura consorciada com a rúcula em bicultivo foi alcançada na combinação populacional de 40% da PRCS da cenoura e 100% da PRCS de rúcula. A produção comercial máxima (33,74 t ha-1) de raízes de cenoura e os rendimentos máximos de massa verde (8,06 e 2,67 t ha-1) de rúcula nos dois cultivos foram obtidos também na combinação de densidades populacionais de 40% da PRCS de cenoura e 100% da PRCS de rúcula. | ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of intercropping combinations of carrot and arugula at different population densities in bicropping in the semi-arid conditions of the Brazilian Northeast. The study was conducted at the "Rafael Fernandes" Experimental Farm of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA) during the period September 2011 to February 2012. The experimental design was of randomized complete blocks with treatments arranged in a 4 x 4 factorial scheme with four replications. The combinations were four population densities of carrot (40, 60, 80 and 100% of the recommended population in sole crop - RPSC) with four population densities of arugula (40, 60, 80 and 100% of the RPSC). The recommended population densities for sole crops of carrot and arugula are 500,000 and 1,000,000 plants per hectare, respectively. All treatments were fertilized with hairy woodrose (Merremia aegyptia L.), a spontaneous species of the Caatinga biome. The highest agronomic efficiency of carrot intercropped with arugula in bicropping was achieved in the combination of 40% of RPSC for the carrot and 100% of RPSC for the arugula. The commercial maximum yield (33.74 t ha-1) of carrot roots and the maximum yields of arugula green mass (8.06 and 2.67 t ha-1) in both cultivations were also obtained in the combination of population densities of 40% of RPSC for carrot and 100% of RPSC for arugula.

ABSTRACT: Irrigation using produced water, which is generated during crude oil and gas recovery and treated by the exploration industry, could be an option for irrigated agriculture in semiarid regions. To determine the viability of this option, the effects of this treated water on the nutritional status of plants should be assessed. For this purpose, we examined the nutritional changes in sunflowers after they were irrigated with oil-produced water and the effects of this water on plant biomass and seed production. The sunflower cultivar BRS 321 was grown for three crop cycles in areas irrigated with filtered produced water (FPW), reverse osmosis-treated produced water (OPW), or ground water (GW). At the end of each cycle, roots, shoots, and seeds were collected to examine their nutrient concentrations. Produced water irrigation affected nutrient accumulation in the sunflower plants. OPW irrigation promoted the accumulation of Ca, Na, N, P, and Mg. FPW irrigation favored the accumulation of Na in both roots and shoots, and biomass and seed production were negatively affected. The Na in the shoots of plants irrigated with FPW increased throughout the three crop cycles. Under controlled conditions, it is possible to reuse reverse osmosis-treated produced water in agriculture. However, more long-term research is needed to understand its cumulative effects on the chemical and biological properties of the soil and crop production. | RESUMO: Irrigação com água produzida, que é gerada durante a extração de petróleo bruto e gás pode ser uma opção para agricultura irrigada em regiões semi-áridas mas o efeito desta água tratada no estado nutricional das plantas e no crescimento e desenvolvimento das culturas deve ser avaliado. Com esse propósito, determinamos alterações nos aspectos nutricionais da cultura de girassol irrigado com água produzida e os efeitos na produção de biomassa e de grãos de girassol. O girassol cv. BRS 321 foi cultivado durante três ciclos em áreas irrigadas com água produzida filtrada (FPW) e tratada por osmose (OPW) e água subterrânea (GW). Ao final de cada ciclo, raízes, parte aérea e grãos foram coletados para determinar as concentrações de nutrientes. Irrigação com água produzida afetou o acúmulo de nutrientes em plantas de girassol. Irrigação com OPW promoveu acúmulo de Ca, Na, N, P e Mg. Plantas irrigadas com FPW acumularam maiores teores de Na em raízes e parte aérea, e afetou negativamente a produção de biomassa e de grãos de girassol. Os níveis de Na na parte aérea de plantas irrigadas com FPW aumentaram ao longo dos três ciclos de cultivo. Sob condições controladas, é possível reutilizar a água produzida tratada por osmose inversa na agricultura, mas necessita de mais estudos a longo prazo para compreender o efeito cumulativo, nas propriedades químicas e biológicas do solo e na produção das culturas. Estes resultados sugerem que a irrigação com água produzida tratada adequadamente, é uma boa estratégia para a sustentabilidade dos recursos hídricos.

RESUMO: A grande diversidade de plantas do Semiárido representa um recurso natural vital para as populações humanas dessa região. Muitas dessas plantas são exploradas de forma extrativista e entre elas, as espécies do gênero Stylosanthes, que são nativas tem grande potencial, porém, os trabalhos realizados têm sido modestos e pouco se conhece a respeito da variabilidade existente nessas plantas. Por isso, esforços devem ser priorizados no sentido de estudá-las, o que certamente poderá ajudar a criar formas para o desenvolvimento de cultivares e, assim, amenizar a escassez de forragem nessa região. Entretanto, para iniciar trabalhos de melhoramento, primeiro deve-se buscar variabilidade genética. Assim, este trabalho avaliou 25 acessos de Stylosanthes spp., a fim de identificar os melhores para serem genitores no programa de melhoramento genético para o Semiárido baiano. Para isso, foram conduzidos dois experimentos em diferentes locais no delineamento blocos casualizados completos com quatro repetições num espaçamento 3,0 × 0,8 m. Foi constatada grande diversidade genética entre os acessos, sendo que os genótipos BGF 08-007, BGF 08-016, BGF 08-015 e BGF 08-021, mostraram-se como os mais divergentes na avaliação geral. Para a formação de populações segregantes, recomenda-se combinar os genótipos BGF 08-016, BGF 08-015, BGF 08-007 e BGF 08-006, e para cruzamentos interespecíficos recomenda-se hibridar o acesso BGF-024 com os acessos BGF 08-016 e BGF 08-015, possibilitando o surgimento de indivíduos superiores para os descritores de massa, os mais importantes para o melhoramento visando alimentação animal. | ABSTRACT: The great diversity of plants in the Brazilian Semiarid environment represents a vital natural resource for the human populations of these areas. Many of these plants have been subject to extractivism and among these, the species of the genus Stylosanthes, which have occurrence in this region, show great potential, however, studies on this topic are limited, and little is known about the existing variability among these plants. Therefore, further study is necessary, to facilitate the development of cultivars. This might reduce the scarcity of fodder supply in this region, but to commence a plant breeding programme, it is essential to identify genetic variability. Therefore, this study evaluated 25 accessions of Stylosanthes spp., to identify the most suitable candidates to be parents in a plant breeding programme for the semiarid region of the state of Bahia. Two experiments were carried out in different sites in an experimental design of randomized blocks with four replicates, with a spacing of 3.0 × 8.0 m. A large amount of genetic diversity was observed among accessions and the genotypes BGF 08-007, BGF 08-016, BGF 08-015 and BGF 08-021 were the most divergent in the overall evaluation. For the structuring of segregating populations, it is recommended to combine the genotypes BGF 08-016, BGF 08-015, BGF 08-007 and BGF 08-006, and for the interspecific crosses, a hybrid from the accession BGF-024 with the accessions BGF 08-016 or BGF 08-015. This might generate superior individuals for mass descriptors, which are the most important for animal forage breeding.

RESUMO: A fitorremediação é uma técnica que vem sendo utilizada na descontaminação de solos tratados com herbicidas de longo efeito residual devido à sua eficiência na descontaminação. Objetivou-se avaliar a fitorremediação do herbicida sulfentrazone em campo, pelas espécies Canavalia ensiformis e Crotalaria juncea. Os tratamentos foram compostos pela combinação entre as espécies vegetais C. ensiformis e C. juncea, mais um tratamento controle (com capina manual) e quatro doses do herbicida sulfentrazone. O delineamento experimental foi blocos casualizados com parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. As espécies fitorremediadoras foram mantidas no campo por 75 dias. Neste mesmo período, foi mantido o tratamento controle. Após esse período, a área experimental foi novamente sulcada e fertilizada considerando as necessidades do Pennisetum glaucum, planta utilizada como indicadora da presença de sulfentrazone. Aos 34 dias após a semeadura do P. glaucum, avaliaram-se a massa fresca e seca da parte aérea. Ao final do ciclo, determinaram-se altura, diâmetro do colmo, comprimento do entre nó, número de folhas, número de panículas, massa fresca e seca da panícula. O cultivo prévio das espécies fitorremediadoras C. ensiformis e C. juncea promove a remediação do sulfentrazone. C. ensiformis é a espécie mais eficiente na descontaminação do herbicida sulfentrazone a campo. | ABSTRACT: Phytoremediation is a technique that has been used with increasing frequency to decontaminate soils treated with herbicides that have long-term residual effects, such as sulfentrazone. The goal was to assess phytoremediation of the herbicide sulfentrazone under field conditions by the species Canavalia ensiformis and Crotalaria juncea. The treatments consisted of combinations of the plant species C. ensiformis and C. juncea plus a control treatment (with manual weeding) and four doses of the herbicide sulfentrazone. The experimental design used herein was a split-plot randomized block design with four replicates per subplot. The treatments were kept in the field for 75 days. After this period, the experimental area was again furrowed and fertilized, considering the requirements for Pennisetum glaucum, a plant used as an indicator of the presence of sulfentrazone. Thirty-four days after sowing pearl millet, the fresh and dry shoot masses of the plants were assessed. At the end of the cycle, the plant height, stem diameter, internode length, number of leaves, number of panicles, and fresh and dry panicle masses were determined. Previous cultivation of phytoremediation species C. ensiformis and C. juncea promotes sulfentrazone remediation. C. ensiformis is the most efficient species for the decontamination of the herbicide sulfentrazone under field conditions.

ABSTRACT: Evaluation of root morphology and kinetic parameters assist in the characterization of genotypes in nutrient uptake efficiency. This study characterized Australian cedar clones concerning their nutrient uptake capacity at the seedling stage through root morphology and the kinetics of P, K, Ca, and Mg uptake. The experiment was conducted using a nutrient solution in a greenhouse and growth chamber. Four Australian cedar clones (HE, XF, XD, and XE), provided by Bela Forest View (Empresa Florestal Bela Vista), were tested using a completely randomized design with five repetitions, totaling 20 experimental plots. The length, volume, surface area, average diameter, and root length per diameter class, as well as the uptake parameters Vmax, Km, Cmin, and the estimated inflow of P, K, Ca, and Mg, were determined. The root morphological characteristics varied between Australian cedar clones; clone XD exhibited the largest root system development. The uptake efficiency of P, K, Ca, and Mg varied between cedar Australian clones. When availability differed, clones XE and XF exhibited greater plasticity in the uptake of P and K respectively, and similar results were found for clone HE in the uptake of Ca and Mg. | RESUMO: Avaliações da morfologia radicular e de parâmetros cinéticos auxiliam na caracterização de genótipos quanto à eficiência de absorção de nutrientes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar clones de cedro-australiano quanto à capacidade de absorção de nutrientes na fase de muda, por meio da determinação de características morfológicas radiculares e dos parâmetros cinéticos de absorção de P, K, Ca e Mg. O experimento foi conduzido em solução nutritiva em casa de vegetação e câmara de crescimento. Foram testados quatro clones de cedro-australiano (HE, XF, XD e XE), provenientes da empresa Bela Vista Florestal, sendo utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições, totalizando em vinte parcelas experimentais. Determinou-se o comprimento, volume, área superficial, diâmetro médio e extensão de raízes por classes de diâmetro, bem como os parâmetros de absorção Vmax, Km, Cmin e o influxo estimado para P, K, Ca e Mg. As características morfológicas radiculares variam entre os clones de cedro-australiano, tendo destaque para o clone XD que apresentou um maior desenvolvimento do sistema radicular. A eficiência de absorção de P, K, Ca e Mg varia entre os clones de cedro-australiano. Em condições de variações na disponibilidade, os clones XF e XE apresentam maior plasticidade na absorção de P e K, respectivamente, e o clone HE na absorção de Ca e Mg.